El Toro Linebacker Ross Makes Verbal Commitment to Trojans

Scott Ross, an All-Southern Conference linebacker from El Toro, announced Tuesday he will play for USC, one of several to make commitments heading into next Wednesday’s signing date.

“I probably always wanted to go to USC,” said Ross, who also considered UCLA and Arizona State. “When I was a freshman in high school, I said I wanted to go there. But this year, I had a lot of other schools after me, so I said I would take a look at all of them. But in the end, I went where I thought I always wanted to go.”

Running back Ricky Ervins and quarterback Vince Phillips verbally committed to USC without even making an official visit, giving the Trojans the two top players off the undefeated Pasadena Muir High School team that won the Coastal Conference championship.

UCLA, meanwhile, added standout lineman James Rae of Esperanza, linebacker James Malone from Richardson, Tex., kicker Dominic Sandifer from North Hollywood Harvard and lineman Andre Farr from Richmond, Calif. Farr is a cousin of current Bruins Mike Farr and Mel Farr Jr.

UCLA did lose one player, however, as linebacker Chuck Robinson changed his mind and said he will attend Stanford.

Elsewhere in the Pacific 10, linebacker Chico Fraley from Bishop Amat committed to Washington and quarterback Mike Pawlawski from Troy will play for California.

All-Southern Section offensive lineman Richard Garrick, from Bishop Amat, chose Air Force and is expecting to get his appointment Thursday. Additionally, defensive back Mike Hirou of Servite will go to Colorado; wide receiver Brent Parker of Capistrano Valley to Oklahoma State; defensive back/quarterback Mike Henderson of Edison to New Mexico; linebacker Doug Blanchard of Edison to San Diego State, and tackle Warren Taylor of Fountain Valley to Texas El Paso.